Breil-sur-Roya
Breil-sur-Roya (French pronunciation: [bʁɛj syʁ ʁwaja], literally Breil on Roya; Italian: Breglio sul Roia or simply Breglio; Ligurian: Breggio; Occitan: Brelh de Ròia) is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.
Breil-sur-Roya | |
|---|---|
 The tower of Cruella, in Breil-sur-Roya | |
.svg.png.webp) Coat of arms | |
Location of Breil-sur-Roya  | |
  Breil-sur-Roya  Breil-sur-Roya | |
| Coordinates: 43°56′17″N 7°30′54″E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur |
| Department | Alpes-Maritimes |
| Arrondissement | Nice |
| Canton | Contes |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Sébastien Olharan |
| Area 1 | 81.31 km2 (31.39 sq mi) |
| Population | 2,137 |
| • Density | 26/km2 (68/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Breillois |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 06023 /06540 |
| Elevation | 151–2,080 m (495–6,824 ft) (avg. 310 m or 1,020 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Population
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1793 | 932 | — |
| 1800 | 1,419 | +52.3% |
| 1806 | 1,511 | +6.5% |
| 1822 | 1,969 | +30.3% |
| 1838 | 2,392 | +21.5% |
| 1848 | 2,637 | +10.2% |
| 1858 | 2,458 | −6.8% |
| 1861 | 2,706 | +10.1% |
| 1866 | 2,709 | +0.1% |
| 1872 | 2,595 | −4.2% |
| 1876 | 2,576 | −0.7% |
| 1881 | 2,538 | −1.5% |
| 1886 | 2,565 | +1.1% |
| 1891 | 2,696 | +5.1% |
| 1896 | 2,668 | −1.0% |
| 1901 | 2,728 | +2.2% |
| 1906 | 2,645 | −3.0% |
| 1911 | 2,804 | +6.0% |
| 1921 | 5,136 | +83.2% |
| 1926 | 2,899 | −43.6% |
| 1931 | 2,666 | −8.0% |
| 1936 | 2,562 | −3.9% |
| 1946 | 1,321 | −48.4% |
| 1954 | 2,029 | +53.6% |
| 1962 | 1,994 | −1.7% |
| 1968 | 2,148 | +7.7% |
| 1975 | 2,089 | −2.7% |
| 1982 | 2,095 | +0.3% |
| 1990 | 2,058 | −1.8% |
| 1999 | 2,028 | −1.5% |
| 2008 | 2,117 | +4.4% |
Roya River and regional activities
Breil-sur-Roya as its name says is located on the scenic and fast moving Roya River within the river's gorge and along the adjacent escarpments. The area features river rafting, swimming, and hiking.
Transportation
Breil-sur-Roya is one of the towns on the route of the SNCF Train des Merveilles which runs between Nice and Cuneo in Italy. Trains operate seven times each direction as of 2020 can be taken from Nice (1 + 1/2 hour) for area touring. The line operated by Italy (FS, the Italian State Railroad) from Ventmiglia joints the SNCF line from Nice at Breil-sur-Roya. One can do a scenic trip, with possible stops at historic towns, "loop" trip from Nice. SNCF Train des Merveilles to Briel; FS from Briel to Ventmiglia; SNCF along the Mediterranean coast return to Nice.
Tourism
The GR52, part of the French Grande Randonnée walking trail network links the town to Gorges de Saorge and Vallon de Zouayne.
Breil-sur-Roya is particularly known for trout fishing. The Roya river runs through town and is open to trout anglers from March to September. Part of the trout run is reserved for fly-fishing. Trout anglers share the river with rafters, another popular local sport.
Flood of 2020
The Roya River violently flooded in October 2020. Major damage occurred to both commercial buildings, to residential homes, and to roads all the way downstream to Ventmiglia, Italy, on the seacoast.
Twin towns — sister cities
Breil-sur-Roya is twinned with:
Borgo San Dalmazzo, Italy (2000)
Aléria, France (2013)
References
- "Populations légales 2019". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 29 December 2021.
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Breil-sur-Roya. |